How safe is the Mini Micro Deluxe?
Intended as a child’s first three-wheeler, the Mini Micro Deluxe has to pass every safety test going – and we’re happy to report that it does. Crucially, the Deluxe complies with EU safety law EN:71 and international safety standard ASTM F963, both the relevant laws for this class of scooter.
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Let’s look at the frame and materials
The Deluxe has a fibreglass and anodised aluminium frame, tough polyurethane wheels, and silicone hand and foot grips. All the materials and finishings feel high-end, making it through the test period without degrading or breaking.
To get into the nitty-gritty, the T-bar reaches a max height of 67cm, which reached mid ribs on our tester’s three-year-old. Scooters can still be ridden safely when the T-bar is around waist height, but even at rib height the scooter is light and stable enough for a three-year-old to manoeuvre.
The adjustable handlebars are 26cm wide, with 12cm allocated per hand. With this and the wide wheel base, the scooter is extremely stable in motion, even on bumpy asphalt (though grass wasn’t much fun).
When weights were balanced on the baseboard, the Mini Micro Deluxe was well-balanced and hard to tip in any direction. When forced over to the side, the ends of the hand grips hit the ground first, but didn’t sustain any damage then or during general use. When tipped forwards, the moulded plastic between the front wheels took a battering, and did show a ragged edge by the end of the week-long testing period.
The baseboard is covered in grippy silicone, so won’t slip in the rain, and is 11cm at its widest with plenty of room for little feet.
What about the brakes?
Braking is a vital skill for new riders, and the Mini Micro Deluxe has a lightweight plastic footbrake at the rear of the baseboard that our tester’s toddler was able to master.
It was the first time she had ever learned to use a footbrake herself, and the design definitely made this easier. During the brake test, the Deluxe took 71cm to come to a complete stop, so bear that in mind when approaching main roads.
Any safety concerns?
We tested the Deluxe version with LED wheels that use induction energy (not batteries), which does help with visibility but isn’t really a safety feature. Micro has included reflective strips either side of the brake, however, which is a useful addition. Do be aware when adjusting the height of the T-bar that the clamp can pinch little fingers.
What’s the Mini Micro Deluxe like in day-to-day use?
The Mini Micro Deluxe is a joy to use day-to-day and is a great option for the school run. Our tester's daughter took it to the park, skate park, library and nursery, as well as for a spin in a large empty car park. It was also used multiple times a day in the back garden.
The scooter makes it easy for a small toddler to kick off and go, with a smooth and well-engineered lean-to-steer mechanism. The lean-to-turn movement is a little looser than the age-equivalent Globber Go Up Comfort Play, so it will take some getting used to for a brand-new rider.
Once your rider is more familiar with it, the Deluxe is impressively speedy and easy to manoeuvre. Our tester’s toddler grew confident enough for – and revelled in – nerve-wracking speeds very soon into the testing period.
It doesn’t rattle or creak in motion – those big 12cm front wheels make for a shock-proof and smooth ride – and the hand grips are soft enough for small hands to hold. When jumped on, the kickboard bows just a little around the edges, but not significantly. The materials are high-end enough to stand up to any number of preschooler knocks.
How heavy is the Mini Micro Deluxe to carry and can it be folded?
One downside is that the Deluxe doesn’t fold but, at just 1.95kg, it feels impressively light and easy to carry with one hand. Our tester’s three-year-old could lift it over kerbs herself, which saves bother for a parent with their hands full. The standing footprint is only 55cm x 23cm, so even without folding it's easy to tuck away in a shed or garage.
Extending or reducing the height of the T-bar is a simple process, though our tester would have preferred pre-determined height options as with the Globber Go Up Comfort Play or 3StyleScooters RGS-1, which she also tested. Without them, the clamp has to be tight for the T-bar to stay put. The mechanism for removing the T-bar entirely is also stiff and took two adults to accomplish this.